Illinois River Watershed Partnership

What Illinois River Watershed Partnership does

Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2005 and headquartered in Cave Springs, Arkansas. It is the primary mission-driven entity dedicated to conserving and restoring the Illinois River Watershed across Northwest Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, serving individual landowners, agricultural producers, municipalities, educators, and conservation partners in a geography that spans from Fayetteville and Bentonville through Siloam Springs to Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

IRWP operates four core program lines: the Green Infrastructure Program (funding up to 50% of project costs for stormwater practices such as detention pond retrofits, bioswales, permeable pavement, and rain gardens); the Septic Tank Remediation Program (grants and 0% interest loans for failing wastewater systems, expanded beyond the Illinois River Watershed into the Beaver Reservoir and Buffalo River watersheds); the Riparian Restoration Program (75% cost-share for streambank protection, fencing, off-stream livestock watering, and rotational grazing — operated 2018-2024 with Walton Family Foundation and Arkansas Department of Agriculture support); and Water Quality Monitoring. Supporting these is a public ArcGIS Experience Builder-based GIS Portal exposing watershed geospatial data and an Online Learning Center covering LID, riparian buffers, septic systems, invasive species, and best management practices.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through grants (Walton Family Foundation, Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Arkansas Department of Health, US Fish & Wildlife Service, NRCS), individual donations, annual sponsorships starting at $1,000, and incidental facility rentals ($100-$200 per event at the Watershed Sanctuary pavilion). The organization maintains a small staff (1-10 employees) and relies on a broad network of state and federal agency partners, universities, and contractors to deliver programs. Strategic priorities include the 2025 renewal of the Septic Tank Remediation Program ($395,000 award), geographic expansion of septic services, and continued community engagement through the annual Bats and Bluegrass Festival and Water Quality Field Tours.

Name

Illinois River Watershed Partnership

Legal name

Illinois River Watershed Partnership

Website

https://irwp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Illinois River Watershed Partnership is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005 that delivers conservation, water quality, and education programs — including green infrastructure, septic remediation, and riparian restoration cost-share funding — to landowners and partners across the Arkansas-Oklahoma Illinois River Watershed.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Watershed Conservation Services

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Watershed Protection & Water Quality Services (AFAMAMAB), Wetland, Riparian & Buffer Services (within forest landscapes) (AFAMAMAI), Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE)

Keywords

• Watershed conservation services
• Riparian restoration programs
• Green infrastructure cost-share
• Septic tank remediation services
• Water quality monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Cave Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants and Program Revenue: IRWP generates revenue primarily through grants from foundations and government agencies (Walton Family Foundation, Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Arkansas Department of Natural Resources), program service fees, and donations from supporters and sponsors.
2. Facility Rentals: The organization rents out its pavilion facilities for events, with pricing ranging from $100-$200 for general rentals and free or discounted rates for sponsor and partner meetings.
3. Donations and Sponsorships: Individual donations and annual sponsorships (starting at $1,000/year for event sponsorships) provide operational support. The organization also receives matching donations through employee giving programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Illinois River Watershed Partnership is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers conservation and restoration services across the Illinois River Watershed spanning Northwest Arkansas and Oklahoma. Its core offerings include cost-share programs for green infrastructure (up to 50% funding), septic tank remediation grants and 0% interest loans, riparian restoration cost-share (up to 75%), water quality monitoring, and direct technical assistance to landowners. Supporting these are an ArcGIS-based GIS Portal for watershed data and an Online Learning Center providing educational resources on best management practices.

Product overview

The Illinois River Watershed Partnership is a nonprofit organization operating as a single unified program rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offerings consist of conservation, restoration, and education services including: the Green Infrastructure Program (cost-share funding up to 50% for stormwater projects), Septic Tank Remediation Program (grants and 0% loans for wastewater systems), Riparian Restoration Program (75% cost-share for streambank protection), and Water Quality Monitoring. Supporting infrastructure includes a GIS Portal (ArcGIS-based mapping tool), Online Learning Center (educational modules), and Watershed Sanctuary facilities for events. The organization serves landowners, educators, planners, and community members across Arkansas and Oklahoma through direct technical assistance, financial programs, and community events like the Bats and Bluegrass Festival.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Green Infrastructure Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Rain garden at Prairie Grove Battlefield captures up to 3,600 gallons of stormwater
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCritical partner in the Septic Tank Remediation Program, providing financial support and technical expertise to address nonpoint source pollution. Their investment in septic remediation directly reduces harmful contaminants entering streams and groundwater.
• Arkansas Department of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks with state and county offices to ensure septic systems are safe and effective through inspections, education, and policy enforcement. Ensures landowners are informed and empowered to make necessary upgrades to protect public health.
• Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with IRWP to help produce rotational grazing plans for landowners. Works with landowners to implement conservation practices through cost-share programs.
• Arkansas Game and Fish CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides landowners with incentives for implementing prescribed fire on their private land. Partners with Prescribed Burn Associations to provide burn trailers, training, and equipment in partnership with Quail Forever and US Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Quail ForeverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports quail habitat restoration, working closely with NRCS to implement cost-share programs for landowners. Many practices for quail habitat also improve water quality.
• University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service (UADA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnow the Flow program provides education on Residential Low Impact Development and stormwater management. Extension agents support landowners with soil sampling and land management guidance.
• City of SpringdaleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with IRWP on a pilot project to retrofit a neighborhood detention pond, supported by a 319 grant from Arkansas Department of Natural Resources.
• Arkansas Natural Heritage CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformed botanical surveys of landowner properties to identify populations of rare species. Partners on conservation and restoration projects including prairie preservation.
• Ozark Ecological Restoration IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with IRWP and US Fish and Wildlife Service to preserve and restore a seven-acre prairie remnant on John Brown University's campus.
• Audubon ArkansasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarvesting native grass seed (Big Bluestem) from remnant prairie for use on restoration projects throughout the state. Partner on NATIVE project.
• H2OzarksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing assistance to residents in the Buffalo or Beaver Reservoir Watersheds with septic system issues, connecting landowners to resources similar to IRWP's Septic Tank Remediation Program.
• Beaver Water DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in community events including Water Quality Field Tours with education and activities booth. Provides Hydration trailer for events.
• Arkansas Farmers BureauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor providing food for Water Quality Field Tour events, supporting community engagement and education efforts.
• Freese and NicholsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYear-round event sponsor providing support for IRWP events and conservation activities.
• BBB SepticminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides restroom facilities for the Bats and Bluegrass Festival. Expert contributor for septic education content and maintenance myth-busting.
• Northeastern State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in community events with education and activities booth.
• Cherokee NationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in community events with education and activities booth, including cultural presentations on river cane.
• Washington County Conservation DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducts soil sampling for landowners and participates in educational events.
• Natural State StreamminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor that performed stream restoration work at Sager's Crossing, funded through IRWP's Riparian Restoration Program.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Trout Unlimited: National coldwater conservation nonprofit focused on river and watershed restoration, including riparian habitat work and landowner cost-share programs. Directly comparable mission and operating model.
• River Network: National nonprofit supporting local watershed groups through capacity building, training, and resources. Comparable as a nonprofit intermediary in the watershed conservation space.
• American Rivers: National nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring rivers and watersheds through advocacy, on-the-ground restoration, and partnership programs. Comparable as a watershed-focused nonprofit with similar landowner and stakeholder engagement approach.
• Quail Forever: National habitat nonprofit running landowner cost-share programs for grassland and wildlife habitat, often with water quality co-benefits. Already an IRWP partner; comparable operating model of federal cost-share delivery to private landowners.
• Audubon Arkansas: State chapter of the National Audubon Society running habitat restoration, native plant, and conservation programs in Arkansas. Already an IRWP partner on the NATIVE project; comparable as a regional conservation nonprofit.
• The Nature Conservancy - Arkansas Chapter: A major environmental nonprofit operating land and water conservation programs in Arkansas, including watershed protection. Directly comparable as a nonprofit conservation organization delivering landowner engagement, restoration cost-share, and water quality work in the same geography.
• Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Large watershed nonprofit running landowner cost-share, restoration, education, and policy programs for the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Highly comparable operating model though at significantly larger scale.

Regional players

• Beaver Water District: Northwest Arkansas drinking water utility that protects Beaver Lake and its watershed through education, monitoring, and community events. Already an IRWP partner; comparable as a regional water quality-focused entity in the same geography.
• Ozarks Water Watch: Regional nonprofit focused on water quality monitoring and watershed protection in the Ozarks region of Arkansas and Missouri. Comparable as a regional water-focused nonprofit running monitoring and education programs.

Broad incumbents

• Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Division: State agency administering conservation programs and providing cost-share funding to landowners in Arkansas. IRWP is a key delivery partner; comparable as a public-sector player funding the same watershed work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/IllinoisRiverWatershedPartnership
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/illinois-river-watershed-partnership
• Instagraminstagram.com/illinois_river
• Xx.com/Illinois_River_

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Illinois River Watershed Partnership